Creative & Digital Technologies

Dorset’s Creative Industries and Digital Technologies scene is a place where innovation and potential flourishes. Bournemouth and Poole in particular stand out as prime locations for high-growth digital businesses. This dynamic sector encompasses visual effects, gaming, animation, creative agencies, app development, and post-production, contributing 20,000 jobs and £823 million to the local economy.  

Dorset’s creative community benefits from a rich talent pool nurtured by Arts University Bournemouth, Bournemouth University and surrounding local colleges. The region’s strategic location sees collaboration across diverse sectors like finance, engineering, and healthcare thus amplifying creative opportunities. State-of-the-art facilities, including centres for data science and digital entertainment, provide fertile ground for innovation. 

Dorset is established as a hub for animation and visual effects – residence to the UK’s largest centre for professional media in Higher Education and the world-leading National Centre for Computer Animation, which has been at the forefront of computer graphics and animation education and research in the UK since 1989, both at Bournemouth University; the home of a world class orchestra; and an award winning global visual effects company contribute to the region’s influence on the creative landscape. With strong FinTech and AgriTech sectors, an active network supporting innovation in health products, and united efforts from the public and private sectors, Dorset aims to solidify its position as a global digital powerhouse, offering comprehensive support for entrepreneurs and businesses alike. 

Join us in Dorset, where innovation knows no bounds, and creativity is the currency of the Digital Creative future.

£823mn

GVA 2023

23000

Employment numbers

Case Studies